Porous polysiloxane MWCNT nanocomposites for high-performance and scalable triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

In this study, porous polysiloxane (PS)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite films were developed as high-performance triboelectric layers for flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). TENGs convert mechanical motion into electricity and offer a promising solution for self-powered electronic systems. The nanocomposites were fabricated using a doctor blading method, and porosity was introduced via a simple, scalable salt-leaching technique. Sieved salt particles of varying sizes produced films with fine, medium, and large pores. Raman spectroscopy confirmed uniform MWCNT dispersion and strong interfacial interaction within the PS matrix. SEM analysis verified controlled pore morphology. Dielectric measurements showed reduced permittivity with increasing pore size due to air void incorporation. Triboelectric performance improved significantly with porosity; the medium porosity sample exhibited the best output with an open-circuit voltage of 65 V, short-circuit current of 6.9 μA, and a power density of 280.6 mW m⁻². This enhancement is attributed to the optimized combination of surface roughness, contact area, and dielectric behavior, promoting efficient charge generation and transfer. These results highlight the potential of microstructural engineering in porous nanocomposites for next-generation energy harvesting applications.